Sealing machine



E. L. WALKER.

SEALING MACHINE.

APPLICATION mm JULY 16. 1919.

Patented Mar. 21, 1922.

3 SHEETS-SHEET I.

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v SEALING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED JULY I6, [919.-

Patented Mar. 21, 1922.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2- E. L. WALKER.

SEALING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED 1u LY I6. I919.

1,410,279. Patented Mar. 21,1922.

3 SHEETSSHEET 3- l/wrgwt/d.

UhliTE STATES PATENT- OFFICE.

SEALING MACHINE.

Application filed July 16,

To all whom it may concern: Be it known that I, EMERY L. l VALKER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Milwaukee. in the county of Milwaukee and State of Wisconsin, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Sealing Ma chines, of which the following is a full, clear, concise, and exact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification.

My invention relates to scaling machines and more particularly to machines of this character which are used for sealing the ends of collapsible or knock-down shipping containers, which shipping containers, as distinguished from cartons are manufactured. of material such as fiber board, box board or corrugated board, and are shippedin collapsed condition to the user, who fills the containers with materials which are to be transported. The collapsible containers prior to their filling must have the unfolded box flaps at one extremity thereof sealed whereupon the articles to be shipped are placed in the container and thereupon the box flaps at the opposite extremity must be sealed, whereupon the shipping container with its contents is ready for shipment.

In reissue patent to Morton Serial No. 1 1,267 dated March 6, 1917, a machine is set forth which is capable of use for sealing the bottoms of the shipping containers; in my co-pending application, Serial No. 311,170, filed July 16, 1919, I forth a machine which is utilized for sealing the tops of shipping containers after the contents have been placed therein.

1 y present invention concerns itself with the provision of a machine so arranged as to be convertible whereby it may be used for sealing the bottoms of the containers and then sealing the tops of the filled containersl My invention concerns itself particularly with the provision of a machine of this character which. is enabled to effect the opera tions outlined in connection with shipping containers of the class specified, using the heavier grades of material such as card board, box board, corrugated board or the like. The use of such material presents peculiar difficulties due to irregularities and dissimilarities of the varlous containers which are supposed to be the same size.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Mar. 21, 1922.

1919. Serial No. 311,171.

My present invention concerns itself with the provision of a machine of this character which accommodates itself to the irregularities and which carries out the operations outlined in a manner to satisfactorily seal the ends of boxes or shipping containers. In order to present a package satisfactory to the transportation companies, it is essential that the folded box flaps be forced tightly together at their meeting edges during the sealing operation thus to present a smooth topped practically closed receptacle.

I will explain one form which my invention may take more in detail by referring to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a front View of one unit of a sealing machine bank constructed in accordance with my invention;

Fig. 2 is a sectional view on line 22 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a front view of a two unit machine modified and converted into a top sealin g machine;

F 4 is a top view of the machine, certain portions being broken away to more clearly reveal features of construction;

Fig. 5 is a sectional view on line 55 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 6 is a sectional view on line 6- -6 of Fig. 5;

Fig. 7 is a sectional View on line 77 of Fig. 5;

Fig. 8 is a sectional view on line 8-8 of Fig. 5; and

Fig. 9 is a sectional view on line 9-9 of Fig. 8.

In the drawings I have shown in Figs. 1 and 2 my improved machine as arranged for bottom sealing and in Figs; :3, 4: and 5, l have shown the machine com orted so that it may be used for top sealing.

It must he understood that a completed sealing machine is usually made up of more than one unit and thepreferred form contemplates associating together a sufficient number of units so that an operator may place a shipping container for sealing into the first unit, then pass on to thenext unit and to the next, sothat by the time he has filled every one of the available units he can come back to unit No. 1, and find the sealing operation completed.

Referring more particularly to Figs. 1 and poses that will be readily apparent.

2, my improved machine consists ofsuitable standards 10. provided with feet 11, which may or may not be bolted to the floor, as occasion requires. Suitable rods 12 and 13 extend across the top of the machin and are united to the standards 10 by the double sockets 14, suitable set screws holding the rodsin position in the socket structures. in accordance with my invention, I provide a supporting plate 15 which pivotally carries a socket 16, this socket having a too 17 which limits the forward tilting movement of the socket 16 as indicated by dottedlines in Fig. 2. The socket also has a rcarwardly extend ing arm 18 provided with an adjusting screw 19 so as to align the socket properly for pur- The socket carries a stem 20 on top of which a platen 21 is secured. The stem 20 also carries arms 22 which hold the lower unfolded extremities of ashipping container 23. The machine as shown'in Figs. 1 and 2 is designed to :seal the bottoms ofshipping containers as already explained. In ordertoeffeet this-operation there is'an upper platen 24 which cooperates with the platen21. V The upper platen 24 is movable so as to clamp the folded box ends between the platens 21 and 24 wheneverthe platen 24is moved into sealing position. The platen or plunger 24 is so mounted that it may be moved up or down in response to the actuations of a handle 25, which handle controls a cam 26, the handle and cam being pivotally mounted upon a supporting framework 27.1'igidly secured to the cross pieces 12 and 13of the'machine.

The upper platen 24 is universally and resiliently mounted upon a 811811128 as will be more readily apparent from an inspection of Figs-5 and 7. A pin 29 prevents the plunger 24 from sliding off from the stem 28 under the impulse ofthe spring 29 which furnishes a resilient backing for the plunger 24. The cam26 engages an adjustable structure 30 having the relatively adjustable parts 31 and 32 whereby to control the neutral. position of the platen 24, this structure 30 being rigidly-secured to the top of the stem 28. A spring 33 normallytends to move the stem 28 upwardly to keep the elements 32 against the surface of the cam 26. The plunger 24 likewise has downwardly extending lugs 34 at the rear thereof, which are one form of suitable steps that may be provided and against which the container may be pressed by the operator during the time that the platen 2415 moved downwardly so as to 111- sure meetmg of the ahuttmghox flaps 35 and 36, this being ofuse both in the hottomand top-sealing operation. The operation of the machine will be readily apparent in that the stem'20 is swungoutwardly into the dotted position shown inFigr. 2, whereupon the lower uirfolded extremity of the box rests tomsealing of the containers.

Now in order to arrange the machine for the top sealing of the filled containers I- provide additional instrumentahties. In the first place, it is necessary to remove the stem 20 with the platen 21 and to do this the set screw 87 is released thus leaving the socket 16 empty. This is shown more clearly in Eandfi. Atthe same time-an alterna tive lower platen 88 is mounted in position upon the standards 10 at the proper height so that it may receive the filled container 40. A downward actuation of the plunger 24 after the container 40 is in position of Fig. 5, will if the folded ends have been properly supplied with adhesive effect the sealing. of the top of the container. In order to adjust the platen 38 into proper position, I provide a collar 41 having teeth 42 which cooperate with pins 43, which pins are placed as re quired in holes 44 at the proper height. Suitable supports 45 are then mounted on top ofthe collars 41 and the platen 38 as will he noted is removably mounted so that when it is taken away the stem .20 can again be inserted in place in the socket 16. In order to properly align the platens 38 they are provided with rounded out-away portions46 which snugly fit the standards 10. The supports45 have forwardly extending arms 47 which serve as a worktable and which may desirably support the plate 48 for that purpose. TheplatensBS are also provided with rollers 49 which assist in transferring the filled shipping container from the plate 48 to the platen 38. In operating the device for sealing the tops of the shipping containersthe operator places the filled containers on top of the plate 48,

folds two of the box flaps inwardly. applies.

the adhesive and then pushes the filled container with its flaps folded inw'a 'dly into the position shown in Fig. The platen 24 is then moved downwardly at the same time thatthe operator pushes the upperpart of the container against the stops 34.

In my copending application above referred to I have claimed. broadly a machine of use for top sealing of" shipping containers. also the means for adjusting the platen and also the roller structure 49 and the stop elmet e structure at; reserving for this applicatinn the claims directed to the convertible feature of the machine herein described.

In my copending appliation Serial No. 311,173 filed July 16, 1919, I illustrate and claim a machine, in which both lower platens which are interchangeably used are pivotally mounted. The claims directed to that feature are made in that particular application.

While I have herein shown and particularly described one form which my invention. may take it will be, of course, apparent that many modifications can be made within the scope of the appending claims without departing from the spirit of my invention. I claim the following 1. A sealing machine of the character de scribed adapted for alternatively sealing the bottom and top flaps of shipping containers comprising a framework, an upper platen mounted on said, frame work, a lower bottom sealing platen and means on said framework for supporting a top sealing platen below said bottom sealing platen.

2. A sealing machine of the character described adapted for alternatively sealing the bottom and top flaps of shipping containers comprising a framework, an upper platen mounted on said framework, a lower adjustable bottom sealing platen and means on said framework for adjustably supporting a top sealing platen below said bottom sealing platen.

3. A sealing machine of the character described adapted for alternatively sealing the bottom and top flaps of shipping containers comprising a framework, an upper platen mounted on said framework, means along one edge of said upper platen against which opposing container end flaps may be pressed prior to scaling, a lower bottom sealing platen and means on said framework for supporting a top sealing platen below said bottom sealing platen.

i. A sealing machine of the character described adapted for alternatively sealing the bottom and. top flaps of shipping containers comprising a framework, an upper platen mounted on. said framework, means along one edge of said upper platen against which opposing container end flaps may be pressed prior to sealing, a lower adjustable bottom sealing platen and means on said framework for adjustably supporting a top sealing platen below said bottom sealing platen.

5. A sealing machine of the character described adapted for alternatively sealing the bottom and top flaps of shipping containers comprising a framework, an upper platen universally and yieldingly mounted on said :lramework, means for movably sumporting a bottom sealing platen close to said upper platen, and means on said framework for stationarily supporting a top sealing platen properly spaced from said upper platen.

, 6. A sealing machine of the character described adapted for alternatively sealing the bottom and top flaps of shipping containers comprising a framework, an upper platen mounted on said framework, means along one edge of said platen against which opposing end flaps maybe pressed prior to sealing, means for movably supporting a bottom sealin g platen close to said upper platen, and means on said framework for stationarily supporting a top sealing platen properly spaced from said upper platen.

7. A sealing machine of the character described adapted for alternatively sealing the bottom and top flaps of shipping containers comprising a framework, an upper platen mounted on said framework, means formovably and adjustably supporting a bottom sealing platen close to said upper platen, and means on said framework for stationarily and adjustably supporting a top sealing platen properly spaced from said upper platen.

8. A sealing machine of the character de scribed adapted for alternatively sealing the bottom and top flaps of shipping containers comprising a framework, an upper platen mounted on said framework, centrally located means for swingingly and removably supporting a bottom sealing platen close to said upper platen, and means on said framework for stationarily and removably supporting a top sealing platen properly spaced from said upper platen, the supporting means of either of said latter platens being so located as to be out of the path of operation of the other of said platens when in operative position.

9. A sealing machine of the character described adapted for alternatively sealing the top and bottom flap of shipping containers comprising a framework having a pair of fixed standards, an upper platen mounted on said framework, a lower bottom sealing platen, and sleeves adjustably mounted on said framework for adjustably supporting a top sealing platen below said bottom sealing platen.

10. A sealing machine of the character de scribed adapted for alternatively sealing the top and bottom flap of shipping containers comprising a framework having a pair of fixed standards, an upper platen mounted on said framework, a lower bottom sealing platen, and sleeves adjustably mounted on said framework for adjustably supporting'a top sealing platen below said bottom sealing platen, said sleeves being mounted so as to be capable of both a rough and fine adjustment.

11. A sealing machine of the character described adapted for alternatively sealing the top and bottom flap of shipping containers eolnprising'e v1'1:an'iewoi'k having a pair of fixed standards, an upper platen mounted'on said framework, :1 lower bottom sealing platen, and sleeves udjustnbly mounted on said framework 101 adjnstably supporting a top sealing plat-en below said bottom sealing p1a- -ten, said sleeves being mounted so as tobe EMER-Y L. WALKER] 

